Video
Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel
Introduction
If you’re learning Japanese, you’ve probably heard of kanji (漢字)—the complex-looking characters borrowed from Chinese. While they may seem intimidating at first, kanji are a vital part of the Japanese writing system and unlock deeper understanding of the language and culture.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✔ What kanji are and where they come from
✔ The different types of kanji and how they work
✔ Basic kanji you can start using today
✔ Fun facts and cultural insights to make your learning easier
Ready to decode the mystery of Japanese characters? Let’s get started!
1. What Is Kanji?
Kanji (漢字) are logographic characters used in Japanese writing. Unlike Hiragana and Katakana (which represent sounds), each kanji represents a meaning and often has multiple readings (ways to pronounce it).
Kanji is used in:
- Nouns (e.g., 山 = mountain)
- Verbs (e.g., 食 = eat)
- Adjectives (e.g., 高 = high, tall)
- Names of people, places, and things
💡 Japanese writing uses a mix of Kanji + Hiragana + Katakana.
2. Where Did Kanji Come From?
Kanji originated in China over 3,000 years ago and were introduced to Japan around the 5th century. Since then, Japan has developed its own unique way of using and pronouncing these characters.
📖 “Kanji” literally means “Han (Chinese) characters.”
3. Types of Kanji: How They Work
Kanji may look like a bunch of strokes, but they often follow logical patterns. Here are the four main types:
1. Pictographs (象形文字)
These are kanji that look like what they represent.
| Kanji | Meaning | Looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 山 | Mountain | Peaks 🏔️ |
| 火 | Fire | Flames 🔥 |
| 木 | Tree | A tree trunk with branches 🌳 |
2. Ideographs (指事文字)
These kanji represent abstract ideas, not physical things.
| Kanji | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 上 | Up |
| 下 | Down |
You’ll see these in everyday directions or signs.
3. Compound Ideographs (会意文字)
These are made by combining two or more simple kanji to form a new idea.
| Kanji | Meaning | Components |
|---|---|---|
| 休 | Rest | 人 (person) + 木 (tree) → a person resting under a tree |
4. Phonetic-Meaning Compounds (形声文字)
This makes up most kanji. One part gives meaning, the other gives sound.
| Kanji | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 語 | Language | The left side indicates “words” or “speech” (言), and the right side suggests how to read it (“go”) |
4. Useful Beginner Kanji to Learn Today
| Kanji | Reading (Romaji) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 人 | ひと (hito) | Person |
| 木 | き (ki) | Tree |
| 火 | ひ (hi) | Fire |
| 山 | やま (yama) | Mountain |
| 雨 | あめ (ame) | Rain |
| 語 | ご (go) | Language |
📝 Try it!
Match the kanji to its English meaning, then try writing each one by hand!
5. How to Learn Kanji Effectively
Kanji may feel overwhelming, but here are tips to make learning manageable:
✔ Learn by category (e.g., nature, directions, time)
✔ Use mnemonics: Make stories out of stroke shapes (e.g., 火 looks like dancing flames)
✔ Practice writing by hand: Stroke order matters!
✔ Use spaced repetition apps like Anki or WaniKani
✔ Read simple sentences: Start with children’s books or basic signage
6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- QHow many kanji are there?
- A
Over 50,000 exist, but you only need to learn about 2,000 (Joyo Kanji) to read newspapers and signs in Japan.
- QDo kanji have more than one reading?
- A
Yes! Most kanji have both On-yomi (Chinese reading) and Kun-yomi (Japanese reading). Example: 人 → “jin” (as in 外国人 / foreigner) and “hito” (person)
- QCan I just use Hiragana instead?
- A
You could, but Japanese writing relies on kanji for clarity and spacing. Using only hiragana can be hard to read.
- QWhy do some kanji look so complicated?
- A
Kanji are built from radicals (building blocks). Once you learn the common radicals, you’ll start to recognize patterns.
7. Conclusion: Don’t Fear Kanji – Embrace It!
Kanji is more than just writing—it’s art, culture, and language rolled into one. With just a few characters, you can express complex ideas, explore Japanese history, and boost your reading skills.
🎯 Start with the basics: Learn a few kanji each week, and build from there. You’ll be surprised how quickly things start to click!
Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?
Our native Japanese instructors at gokigen japanese can help you perfect your pronunciation and learn real-life usage.
Whether you’re completely new to Japanese or looking to refine your skills, book a one-on-one session.
